I am sure it is wise to jettison some of these brands, but, why should Chrysler be bailed out at all? The quality and durability of its cars are on par with the "great Yugo"!
Who needs such a junky car when there are so many very reliable brands around?
Let them file for bankruptcy and don't waste bailout money on them.

There is obviously a lot of pain to come for the automakers as well as the rest of the market. this won't be over any time soon.


Great post, keep up the great work!




http://rays-stock-world.blogspot.com

Mr. White
You are as bad as the ill-informed members of Congress when it comes to the automotive industry.
Case in point:"How about Pontiac? The sports-oriented brand in many ways is a clone of Chevy vehicles, but with different skins."
Since you've supposedly done your homework before writing this article, please share what Pontiac's share the same platforms with Chevrolet?
The G8- RWD from GM Australia so a big Nope
The G6-Nope
Vibe-Built at NUMMI, another big Nope
Solstice-the Saturn Sky, yes. Chevy a big Nope
GTO-Another import from GM Australia so another big Nope
G5-Finally a yes, shares platform with the Cobalt
Torrent-Wow another yes, shares platform w/Chevy Equinox.
So only two out seven Pontiac vehicles actually shares a platform with Chevrolet.
And as far as your statement, "GM may also be taking a hard look at its European Saab brand, as well as its domestic Pontiac and Saturn brands" there is no may about it and is old news as the GM Long Term Viability Plan submitted to Congress on 12/2 clearly outlines all of these possibilities, so do not pretend this is your "opinion" or "idea".
My advice to you, write an article about something you have knowledge or a clue about.

No need to discuss which 15 brands should be cut. All 3 automakers will eventually fail along with 250,000+ jobs eliminated with or without the bailout. It's just reality, folks.

http://financial-cents.blogspot.com/2008/12/peter-schiff-let-gm-and-other.html

If I was in the auto selling business, I'd be considering a career change right about now.

I will not argue the point if there is commonality between brands at GM, as there is. But, to compare a Pontiac G8 with an Chevy Impala is absurd. Link to Motor Trends article expousing the virtues of the G8 RWD (with photo)

http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2008/112_0806_2009_pontiac_g8_gxp_first_look/index.html

and a link to the Chevy Impala FWD (with photo's).
http://www.chevrolet.com/impala/photogallery/

One is RWD, one is FWD and please show me where these two vehicles look anything alike.

My point is if you are going to attempt to make a point, please know or understand what you are talking about. In addition by not referencing GM's Long Term Viability Plan in the potential elimination of certain brands you allude that these are your ideas or opinions, which is false. Last but not least the Hummer brand has been on the block for sale by GM for nearly 9 months and is not an earth shattering revelation on your part. My original statement stands, you know nothing of what you speak.

Didn't obama say there would be help to keep people working?Or did he say that Americans can lose there jobs and he doesn't care.
Here is the change he promised - NO WORK FOR AMERICANS

Brian

Your sarcasm aside, you're welcome. In my humble opinion, stick to the techie and internet stories as I enjoy your insight and knowledge in that arena.

Keith

I own a HUMMER H3. It is EXCELLENT on gas milage and a GREAT built vehicle. I can't imagine owning anything else. I have owned every truck there is. The HUMMER dealership I use in Shawnee Mission, KS are EXCELLENT in taking care of me and my HUMMER. Thank You

Not the Saturns ! Say it ain't so !
Those are some of the best cars GM has ever produced.
I would think GM would take what it has learned from this collaboration with Toyota and use it in future models.

Get this straight - cars do not "disappear" or vaporize off the earth just because some green geeks want them gone. Let's hear some actual solutions to what happens to all the cars they want to get rid of - - are they going to buy them from the owners (at no loss to the owner - you have to pay off their loan balances); recycle every single piece of them; dump them in the sea; send them into space........well????? This idea that people just have to "give them up" and they'll magically disappear is so mush brained juvenile...........

I own a 2003 Toyota Rav4. Last year I decided to buy a 2008 Rav4. When I went to the dealership, I noticed the car was much larger than my 2003. The dealer told me Toyota made the Rav4 18 inches longer and 18 inches wider. When I asked why, he said that people wanted larger cars. This is before the gas went up to $4.23 a gallon. Of course I did not buy a new car. I will wait until the Rav4 goes back to being a small SUV.

Perhaps the US auto makers can do a joint venture with companies like Honda or Toyota which employ TQM (Total Quality Management) practices.

HEY,,personaly im happy that these big car makers are going under, i wish it had been done sooner,they make all these cars and if your so stupid in not to see that every where you go,the car lots and these big car dealships the cars just sit there,because they wont let someone that needs a car and maybe has a low credit score cant get one, so i pray to god thery all go under,why should a sore on some stupid credit score keep people from getting a car they want and its always the rich that get them,like bushes new home,i say bye bye mr.car maker that wont give up their jets and high priced hotels and resorts that they only can go to and we the tax payer cant, and cant even get their cars they make and way to many of them,lol thank god im so happy,,

Aaron

Goggle NUMMI, joint venture between Toyota and GM, which has been in existence since 1984

WHY IS THE GOVERMENT BAILING OUT PRIVATE INDUSTRY ,?. THEY GOT THERE SELFS IN TROUBLE , THE GOVERMENT WON T BAIL THE TAXS PAYERS OUT IF THEY TAKE IF THEY GET IN TROUBLE .????????????????

piss on the big three watch how fast them companys come up with the money if the goverment says no!

Blame it on the Billions that goes to NASCAR with NO RETURN to the "Big 3".After all the cars today are FWD, the new COT car of NASCAR is RWD. Different everthing, don't even look a like any more they. The old motto was win on Sunday Sell them on Monday now gone. Most people now days can't afford a ticket to a NASCAR race. So why spent BILLIONS in a market not making it to the working classs people. Cut off NASCAR and solve your own money problems.P.S. I'm a NASCAR fan, not a Brain France fan.